If Wisconsin loses by >20 I think there's a 10% shot. The Gophers are the most compelling story of the 3 teams, and will probably bring at least as many fans as Wis or PSU and possibly more.
The best chance would be enough bizarre things happening this weekend that WI ends up in the CFP (beat tOSU and whomever else loses), tOSU also ends up in the CFP, PSU gets a berth to the Orange or Cotton, then MN would be the obvious choice. I'm not sure there are really any scenarios where that could happen, but maybe?
The teams realistically in contention are (I'm assuming tOSU gets playoffs either way):
PSU
Wisconsin
Minnesota
PSU may well get either an Orange or Cotton Bowl berth. If that happens, I would suspect Wisconsin would still go. However, it is the Rose Bowl's prerogative to pick the "next best B1G team", so they could choose MN. That said, typically they've gone with the CFP rankings, which will not favor MN.
The best chance would be enough bizarre things happening this weekend that WI ends up in the CFP (beat tOSU and whomever else loses), tOSU also ends up in the CFP, PSU gets a berth to the Orange or Cotton, then MN would be the obvious choice. I'm not sure there are really any scenarios where that could happen, but maybe?
The second best chance is it comes out that Johnathon Taylor Thomas (or other WI starter) was ineligible and MN becomes West Champ.
This "PSU would like to stay east" thing you keep pushing is a made-up bit, right? You don't actually believe that, do you?"Hello Mark, spoke with Sandy and Barry and they are thinking that for the good of the conference and our exposure in general that Minnesota would be a great choice for the Rose Bowl this year. Sandy would like to stay east and Barry feels that their fan base would like a new experience for their bowl. We feel Minnesota would bring an incredible attendance number and really boost viewership nation wide with your coach being so well known and popular." "I will be talking to the committee and the media about this soon, regards....Kevin"
The guidelines actually don't say that at all. Here is what they actually say:The guidelines say that if the B1G Champion is in the CFP playoffs, the "next-highest rated team" goes to the Rose Bowl.
Don't you have to win something to be a Cinderella story?
Well, then there are five Cinderellas in the Big Ten. Will all five go to the Rose Bowl?Yeah, you have to beat Illinois.
"If OSU blows out the Badgers, there is a legitimate chance we go to the Rose Bowl." This is the info I got from someone with very, very close ties to the football team/athletic department. (Granted, this was before the CFP rankings came out at #18). Also said that the Rose Bowl committee loves MN right now. They love the stories of Fleck, Casey O'Brien, etc. They know that the Gophers will travel as well or better than anyone else. People that are saying there is no chance are mistaken. Is it likely? No. But there is a decent chance, especially if OSU crushes the badgers.
"If OSU blows out the Badgers, there is a legitimate chance we go to the Rose Bowl." This is the info I got from someone with very, very close ties to the football team/athletic department. (Granted, this was before the CFP rankings came out at #18). Also said that the Rose Bowl committee loves MN right now. They love the stories of Fleck, Casey O'Brien, etc. They know that the Gophers will travel as well or better than anyone else. People that are saying there is no chance are mistaken. Is it likely? No. But there is a decent chance, especially if OSU crushes the badgers.
Well, then there are five Cinderellas in the Big Ten. Will all five go to the Rose Bowl?
badgers? Cheese-whiz eaters? If they pay their taxes to the state of Minnesota, they really don’t get in the way too often, I guess. Live and let live...This was before the rankings came out. Also, how good have your sources been in the past on stuff like this?
We've never been in rose bowl consideration, so I can't say how accurate my source is.This was before the rankings came out. Also, how good have your sources been in the past on stuff like this?
We moved from the Rose Bowl cluster to the Pinstripe Bowl cluster.We're still in a cluster -- it just ain't the Rose Bowl cluster.
Sadface.
If Wisconsin loses by >20 I think there's a 10% shot. The Gophers are the most compelling story of the 3 teams, and will probably bring at least as many fans as Wis or PSU and possibly more.
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Re: the quest for the Rose Bowl. Never give up. Never give in. And: never let the ba$tards get you down while you wait!